Máhchsi-Karéhde, Mandan Man

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Artist

Karl Bodmer

Birth and death dates

1809 - 1893

Artist Nationality

Swiss

Title

Máhchsi-Karéhde, Mandan Man

Date

December 24, 1833

Dimensions

17 × 12 1/16 in. (43.2 × 30.6 cm)

Medium

Watercolor and graphite on paper

Institution

Joslyn Art Museum

Credit Line

Gift of the Enron Art Foundation

Accession Number

1986.49.266

Rights (i.e. copyright information)

Joslyn Art Museum

Photographer credit

Photograph © Bruce M. White, 2019

Commentary

At a height of just over six feet, Máhchsi-Karéhde ( "Flying War Eagle") was described by Maximilian as the tallest Mandan. He was a frequent visitor at Fort Clark during the winter of 1833-34, often bringing friends and asking to see Bodmer's pictures. Máhchsi-Karéhde was a member of a distinguished band of warriors that regulated all the important affairs of the tribe. The wolf tails on his heels and the painted eagle feather in his hair denote battle accomplishments. The general richness of his dress-the painted robe and leggings, the eagle wing fan, the large and undoubtedly expensive bear claw necklace-conveys an impressive image of a proud and successful man. Máhchsi-Karéhde's brother Mandeh-Pahchu was also painted by Bodmer (see the next plate). However, in the aquatint atlas, Máhchsi-Karéhde was pictured with another young Mandan, Síh-Chidä (see Plate 316). The German inscription on the portrait shown here, "Máhchsi-Karéhde and Síh-Chidä together," may be an instruction to the engravers of Tableau 20.

References in Journal

December 24, 1833

Labels:

portrait

Approximate Depicted Location:

Fort Clark, North Dakota